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Pack in the Pros

Ted Kapita Signed a G-League Contract as a tryout player. Did he make it?

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7 years ago

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When Gottfried was fired and Kevin Keatts hired, there was obviously going to be some roster turnover. There always is.

Everyone knew Dennis Smith Jr would be heading to the NBA, but there were rumors all over the place about players transferring or going pro. Some thought Abu would leave for the pros. Others thought Markell Johnson, Ted Kapita and Mav Rowan might transfer.

As it turns out, Abu and Johnson made the right move and stayed while Mav Rowan and Ted Kapita did the unthinkable and just went pro.

For Rowan, it looks like things might end up working out to a degree. He was selected #3 overall in the G-League draft by the Lakeland Magic (an affiliate of the Orlando Magic) after being cut after 3 days by a Serbian team.

As for Kapita, well, look, you never want to judge someone because you don’t know their situation, but man did Big Ted make a mistake. The kid was oozing with raw talent and the more we hear about Keatts style of play, the more we think he would have fit perfectly in this system.

A tweet from a few weeks ago hinted that Kapita finally did ink a G-League deal with the Erie BayHawks, but with no guarantees, and as a tryout player.

Fast-forward a few weeks and the G-League draft has come and gone, but still no news on Kapita. The Erie BayHawks selected 5 players in the draft and he was not one of them. Their final roster has yet to be posted, but we aren’t even sure if he was in the draft to begin with.

If you are confused by how the G-League builds it’s rosters (as we were), here is a nice rundown.

It seems as if Kapita didn’t get picked up by the league, thus did not get entered into the draft. Instead, it seems as if he just tried out as a ‘local tryout player’ and was awarded a contract to come to camp (likely without guarantees). The tweet is vague, so it’s unclear if he has already passed the tryout and will be on the team, or if he tried out to get to camp and now he will try out again to get on the roster (we believe the latter is more likely.)

I’m just going to say it. If your situation is this complicated, this early in your career, then it’s probably likely that you would have benefitted from a year or two more of college basketball. I know the money is enticing and there are a few stories of going from unknown to NBA star, but it’s a cruel world out there. If you don’t have the skills, then no one cares about you. They don’t have time to train you or work with you. You’re on your own, out of sight and out of mind. At least in college you have coaches who care about you and whose job it is to push you and make you better. You have publicity built in, especially being in the ACC where TV camera and NBA scouts are fixated on your games every night. But, who am I to judge. These agents sell a dream and if you don’t have good counsel around you then I guess it’s easy to buy into that.

We have contacted people on the Kapita and the BayHawks sides, but we have yet to hear anything. We’ll keep you updated.

UPDATE: No, Ted Kapita did not make the G-League roster.

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Pack in the Pros

Mike Tomlin’s Thoughts on the Steelers Drafting NC State’s Payton Wilson

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1 week ago

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April 29, 2024

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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was ecstatic that NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson was available for Pittsburgh to pick up with the 98th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“Man, we’re really excited about Peyton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the type of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skillset. He’s a fluid mover. He can run. Had an opportunity to lay some real up close eyes on him down there in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, we’re thankful we had an opportunity to get him. He’s got all the hardware that comes with some of those things that I described being a Butkus Award winner and so forth. We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed Our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“I think you could characterize it as surprised. I mean, he is an award-winning linebacker, Butkus Award winner. Had an opportunity to get really familiar with him down in Mobile as well. But the linebackers themselves weren’t coming off the board at that juncture. So sometimes they make runs on positions at different times and it hadn’t been a lot of linebackers to that point. I think what he was number five or so.” (Link)

“We’re really excited about Payton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the types of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skill set. He’s a fluid mover. We had to get comfortable with his medical, and we were. We brought him in on a pre-draft visit to allow our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort, and so from that perspective, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

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Pack in the Pros

Payton Wilson will Wear #41 for the Pittsburgh Steelers

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1 week ago

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April 28, 2024

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 3rd round on Friday night, will wear the #41 for the Steelers.

Wilson spent his entire collegiate career at NC State wearing the #11. He wore the #11 at Orange High School.

It will take some getting used to recognize him in the #41 jersey. Currently, Steelers Wide Receiver Van Jefferson is wearing the #11.

Here’s a look at other Pittsburgh players who have worn the #41.

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NC State Football

NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

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1 week ago

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April 28, 2024

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NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.

He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.

In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.

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NC State Football

NC State PK Brayden Narveson Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Titans

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1 week ago

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April 27, 2024

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NC State Place Kicker Brayden Narveson has signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tennessee Titans.

In his one season in Raleigh, Narveson made 18 of his 23 Field Goal attempts for the Wolfpack, and made all 38 Extra Point attempts. Narveson made some history in his one season at NC State, kicking a 57-yard Field Goal against Duke, breaking the school record for the longest Field Goal.

Narveson ranked 4th in the ACC in Field Goals attempted (23), and 5th in Field Goals made (18) this season. He ranked 9th in conference in scoring (7.1 points per game).

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